Jeff was an amazing young man, wonderful son, and dedicated loving dad of two children. He loved cars, motorcycles, and especially Jeeps. While attending a car auction, Jeff experienced a ruptured aneurysm that took his life at the young age of 37. In the aftermath of the loss of her son and his gift of organs, tissue and corneas, Jeff's mother Connie finds "the recipient and their family's overwhelming gratitude towards a donor family is a gift in itself." Connie volunteers for Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates sewing the organ donor quilts for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. "We are up to nine panels now!" she said proudly.

Jeff's Story

Jeff was an amazing young man, wonderful son, and dedicated loving dad of two children. He loved cars, motorcycles, and especially Jeeps. While attending a car auction, Jeff experienced a ruptured aneurysm that took his life at the young age of 37. The loss of her son and his gift of organs, tissue and corneas left his mother, Connie, with a mix of emotions.

"My experience as a donor mom is one I wish I didn't have," said Connie. "However, I can say it has also been extremely rewarding. Witnessing one life given for another is as old as time and still amazes me.

"Meeting recipients helps fill the hole that losing your loved one left. I personally think the recipient and their family's overwhelming gratitude towards a donor family is a gift in itself. Bonding with other donor families has also been very comforting."

In memory of he son, Connie participates as a volunteer for Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates by speaking and working booths at local events. "I take the most pride in sewing the organ donor quilts for the Commonwealth of Kentucky," affirmed Connie. "We are up to nine panels now! It is amazing to look at all the hard work put into each and every square. It is also comforting to see that we are not the only one who had to make such a wonderfully dreadful decision that fateful day."